West Harrison teenager Kinsley McBride earned the right to compete in the national high school rodeo finals in Des Moines, Iowa.

It's hard for some people to master a skill they've worked on their whole life, but for West Harrison 8th grader Kinsley McBride, she excels at multiple rodeo events at the same time, and it all started with a fascination for horses when she was a little girl.

“I always talked about horses, so my grandmother took me to a lady who gives lessons and it was history from there,” said national qualifier Kinsley McBride.

It's a story to say the least since McBride has had the reigns in his hands since he was three years old and just hasn't let go since. She not only rides the horses, but she also trains them. McBride began working with her versatile horse Houdini at age six, and she says a good relationship with your horse is one of the most important qualities as a rider.

“If your horses don't like you, it's a descent into hell. They have to trust you and you have to trust them and that’s what makes a good team,” McBride said.

Kinsley and Houdini are an incredible team, in fact, they are one of the best duos in the entire Magnolia State. As a member of the Mississippi Junior High Rodeo Association team, McBride recently qualified for the Junior High National Finals Rodeo to be held in Des Moines, Iowa. There she will compete in several different events like pole bend, breakaway rope, ribbon rope and much more.

She was also surprised to qualify in the goat event, but it's true that races are won slowly and steadily.

“Well, I qualified in an event that I'm not very good at, so I really need to train and make sure my body is ready to take on the goat, because it's a bit of a challenge” , said McBride, who is not afraid of difficulties. “I don't have the best times but I'm consistent with my slow times and that's allowed me to gain the upper hand.”

But don't let his humility overwhelm you. She and Houdini are not slow at all, but they are definitely consistent and definitely used to the Harrison County Fairgrounds Arena.

“Well, you're always here. I come here two to three times a week. We'll go up to Wiggins to rope and you're always doing something to make yourself better and try to be better than where you were yesterday,” McBride said.

McBride not only applies her hard work and determination to the land, but also to her studies and spiritual life.

School is very important to me, so I put God first, then school, so I have something to fall back on if the rodeo fails and I just have to work ten times harder because I'm not not at home every day riding,” McBride said. “I have to go after school and after sports.”

But at the rate she's going, it doesn't seem like McBride needs a fallback plan because she dreams of rodeoing in college and one day competing in the National Finals Rodeo.

The next step towards this dream begins on June 23 where she will compete for the national junior title at just thirteen years old.

You can see Kinsley and his hard work pay off at the Nationals, which will be televised on the Cowboy Channel!

WXXV wishes Kinsley and Houdini the best of luck in the Junior High National Finals Rodeo!